BMW i’s ChargeForward Initiative Seeks Participants

Do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and drive a BMW i3, i8, X5 xDrive40e, 330e or 740e? If so, would you like …

Do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and drive a BMW i3, i8, X5 xDrive40e, 330e or 740e? If so, would you like to get paid to participate in BMW i’s award winning ChargeForward initiative, while helping to shape the future of electric vehicle charging?

BMW is seeking 250 individuals to participate in the second phase of the ChargeForward initiative, which will last approximately 24 months. The first phase of the program is now complete, and volunteers are needed for the second phase, which begins in January, 2017. This phase includes vehicle to grid managed charging, and stationary energy storage systems which utilize repurposed MINI-E battery packs. Back in 2015, this program won the ESNA Innovation Award for EV Battery 2nd Life Energy Storage System.

From the ChargeForward website:

The second phase of ChargeForward, from January 2017 through December 2018, is expected to demonstrate expanded benefits of charging optimization through management of both current and projected future charging events (in contrast to single charging event management). This approach offers utilities and grid operators even greater flexibility in assigning vehicle charging load to times and locations where it is most needed. ChargeForward returns some of the resultant savings to customers as a way to reduce the total cost of EV ownership.

Participants will be compensated for their involvement, and can earn up to $900 for their effort. Here’s how the compensation will be awarded:

$300 paid early 2017 soon after launch

Up to $300 paid in early 2018. The exact amount will vary, based on individual participation in managed charging (The fewer times a participant “opts out” to begin charging immediately, the better) and participation in any related research like focus groups and questionnaires that are part of the program.

Up to $300 more in early 2019, once the program is complete.

It’s encouraging to see BMW investing time and money in vehicle to grid (V2G) and EV battery 2nd life use. This is further proof BMW is really serious about the future of electric vehicles. I encourage anyone eligible to inquire about participating in the program. Why wait for the future of EV charging when can help shape it today?